Cleaning tool and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A tool advantageous for cleaning and sanitizing toilet bowls, urinals, and other surfaces. The cleaning tool comprises an arcuate-shaped handle and a cleaning head, wherein the cleaning head is permanently affixed to the handle, and wherein the handle and the cleaning head is formed from biodegradable material. Said tool is intended for one-time use and subsequent trash disposal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to cleaning tools, and morespecifically to a cleaning tool and method of use thereof for cleaningand sanitizing toilet bowls and urinals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to prevent the spread of germs and disease, restrooms andbathrooms must be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis. Health andsanitation concerns require that toilets and urinals be cleanedfrequently. This is easily accomplished using a disinfectant, detergent,or cleanser and manual scrubbing. A brush or textured pad, with handle,is the cleaning tool of choice.

Unfortunately, a reused scrubbing tool becomes unsanitary after firstuse because it repeatedly contacts unsanitary surfaces. Likewise, areused scrubbing tool can contaminate the next surface it contacts.Furthermore, a reused scrubbing tool is stored wet and dries slowly.This condition of storage fosters the growth of more bacteria and germs.

Existing scrubbing tools with a one-time use ejectable cleaning head arean acknowledged improvement in the art. However, it is necessary toretain and store the handle. This handle becomes contaminated andgerm-laden unless it is meticulously sanitized after each use. Thecleaning head refills add to the cost.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a one-timeuse cleaning tool that is formed from inexpensive disposable materials.Said cleaning tool eliminates having to retain any part that isunsanitary. Furthermore, there is a need for such a trash disposabletool that is formed from biodegradable and environmentally-friendlycomponents.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present inventionovercomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognizedneed for such a tool by providing a one-time use disposable cleaningtool for scrubbing toilet bowls and urinals.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present inventionin its preferred form is a biodegradable cleaning tool comprising ahandle and a cleaning head.

More specifically, the cleaning tool of the present invention comprisesa curved handle, thereby permitting a user to easily maneuver thecleaning head inside a urinal or toilet bowl and under the rim. Thecleaning head is permanently affixed to the handle for one-time use andtotal trash disposal with the potential to biodegrade.

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is itsability to effectively scrub a toilet bowl or urinal without requiringthe user to touch these surfaces.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its curvedhandle to permit a user to easily maneuver the cleaning head within aurinal or toilet bowl and under the rim.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is itsenvironmentally-friendly biodegradable components.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is itsinexpensive materials thereby providing a cleaning tool that isadvantageously suitable for trash disposal and replacement afterone-time use. It is not necessary to retain an unsanitary handle.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its small,lightweight and slender design, thus facilitating ease of use andpackaging of multiple units for retail sale.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is the option touse it with any common household sanitizing solution, detergent, orcleanser, or to offer it with a disinfectant impregnated within thecleaning head.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent to one skilled in the art from the followingdescription and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the DetailedDescription of the Preferred and Selected Alternate Embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numeralsdenote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning tool according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning head according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning tool according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cleaning tool according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention, showing the cleaning tool in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention, asillustrated in FIGS. 1-4, specific terminology is employed for the sakeof clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to thespecific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that eachspecific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in asimilar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention in a preferred embodimentcomprises cleaning tool 10, wherein cleaning tool 10 may beadvantageously utilized for cleaning and sanitizing toilet bowls andurinals, and wherein cleaning tool 10 comprises handle 20 and head 30.Preferably, handle 20 comprises first end 22, middle portion 23 andsecond end 24. Handle 20 is preferably formed from wood, however, it iscontemplated that handle 20 could be formed from other biodegradablematerials, such as, for exemplary purposes only, cardboard or particleboard. Preferably, handle 20 is arcuate-shaped, such that middle portion23 is advantageously curved for maneuvering head 30 inside a urinal ortoilet bowl and under the rim.

Referring to FIG. 2, head 30 is preferably disc-shaped and comprisesmeans for scrubbing and scouring. It is recognized that head 30 couldalternatively embody other suitable shapes, such as, for exemplarypurposes only, a semi-circle, oval, sphere, cube, triangle or diamond.Head 30 is preferably a textured pad formed from a porous,biodegradable, cellulose material, wherein head 30 preferably comprisesfirst surface 32, second surface 34, peripheral surface 36, and slot 38.Slot 38 is preferably rectangular-shaped and preferably adapted toreceive second end 24 of handle 20 there within. It is contemplated, inalternative embodiment, that head 30 could be formed from other suitablebiodegradable materials, such as, for exemplary purposes only, paper,sponge, loofah, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 3, head 30 is preferably permanently secured to handle20 utilizing an adhesive. However, it is contemplated that othersuitable means to secure head 30 could be utilized, such as, forexemplary purposes only, frictional fit, rivets, clamps, hooks, clips,or staples. In an alternative embodiment, second end 24 of handle 20could possess a slot and surface 36 of head 30 could possess a rigid tabfor insertion into the slot of handle 20, wherein the tab could besecured within the slot, thereby attaching head 30 to handle 20.

To operate cleaning tool 10, as seen in FIG. 4, first end 22 of handle20 is preferably gripped by the user whereby the user directs handle 20to maneuver head 30 in a scrubbing action. Preferably, utilizing aside-to-side, back and forth, and/or circular scrubbing motion, head 30removes dirt, grime and stains from a subject surface. Preferably, theuser may apply disinfectant, detergent or other like cleanser to thesubject surface and/or to head 30. Alternatively, head 30 may beimpregnated with a cleanser that dissolves in conjunction with thescrubbing action. After use, the cleaning tool 10 can be disposed of inthe trash with the potential to biodegrade.

It is recognized in an alternate embodiment that handle 20 could bebendable and, for exemplary purposes only, made with one or more hingedjoints and/or corrugated, formable sections to further facilitatemaneuvering cleaning tool 10 in confined spaces.

In another alternative embodiment, handle 20 could be extendable ortelescopic.

In still another alternative embodiment, handle 20 could possess bumps,dimples, ridges, grooves and/or indentations for a non-slip grippingsurface.

In still yet another alternate embodiment, head 30 could be scented foremitting a pleasant fragrance.

In another alternate embodiment, head 30 could possess cleaningbristles.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, itshould be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosuresare exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations,and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specificembodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the followingclaims.

1. A cleaning tool, comprising: an arcuate-shaped handle, said handleformed from biodegradable material; and at least one cleaning head, saidat least one cleaning head formed from textured or bristledbiodegradable material.
 2. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein said atleast one cleaning head comprises a cavity for receiving and retainingsaid handle therewithin.
 3. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein saidarcuate-shaped handle is bendable.
 4. The cleaning tool of claim 1,wherein said arcuate-shaped handle is extendable.
 5. A method ofcleaning, said method comprising the steps of: a. using a biodegradablecleaning tool comprising an arcuate-shaped handle and at least onecleaning head; b. directing said handle; c. maneuvering said at leastone cleaning head proximate a subject surface; and d. scrubbing thesubject surface with said at least one cleaning head utilizing a backand forth, side to side, and/or circular scrubbing motion.
 6. The methodof claim 5, further comprising the step of: e. applying a disinfectantor detergent to said at least one cleaning head or surface to becleaned.
 7. Alternatively, at least one cleaning head may be impregnatedwith disinfectant or detergent.